Peter Merz

Associate Professor

Contact information

Education

M.B.A., Point Park University

B.F.A., Theatre Design and Production, University of Cincinnati

Courses Taught

Ballet Technique

Dance Composition

Male Technique

Pointe Technique

Background

Peter Merz choreographed his first ballet for Dayton Ballet II at the age of 12, beginning a lifelong fascination with dance-making. In addition to studying at the School of the Dayton Ballet, Merz studied at the San Francisco Ballet School, The Washington Ballet and the Burklyn Ballet School. He danced with the Louisville Ballet and the Cincinnati Ballet, and also taught in the Cincinnati Ballet’s Academy and at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati. In 2002, Merz served as the artistic administrator for the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss. In 2004, Merz joined the faculty of Point Park, where he is an associate professor of dance and head of ballet.

His most recent premiere, Magnificat, is the 10th ballet he has made for the Gem City Ballet of Dayton, Ohio. He has also created ballets for Point Park University, International Summer Dance, the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, the Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet, the Greater York Youth Ballet and the Classical Ballet of Herndon Virginia.

He makes his home in Pittsburgh with his wife, Cynthia Ridler, who is also a ballet teacher, and their children, Lucy and Henry.